Lindsay & Jason’s guidebook
Sightseeing
True West Coast scenery. You'll want your camera with you!
Neck Point Park is a true west-coast gem. Surrounded by rugged beaches, gorgeous gary oak trees - this is a very special place and is not to be missed. Kids will love exploring tidal pools, discovering star fish in nooks and crannies at low tide, watching for the bobbing heads of seals and the occasional sea lion. There have even been some orca sightings in the distance. Magical...
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Parque Neck Point
1055 Morningside DrNeck Point Park is a true west-coast gem. Surrounded by rugged beaches, gorgeous gary oak trees - this is a very special place and is not to be missed. Kids will love exploring tidal pools, discovering star fish in nooks and crannies at low tide, watching for the bobbing heads of seals and the occasional sea lion. There have even been some orca sightings in the distance. Magical...
Piper's Lagoon (and Wheatcroft Park - pictured here) are just down the road from Neck Point Park and make for an awesome ocean-walk any time of year. There are numerous bald eagles that nest at the point here, great blue herons relaxing in the lagoon along with various other sea birds. A long stretch of pebbly beach to wander along and beautiful hidden coves as you venture further. Drive down to Wheatcroft Park (overlooks the lagoon), then on to Piper's Lagoon.
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Pipers Lagoon Park
3600 Place RdPiper's Lagoon (and Wheatcroft Park - pictured here) are just down the road from Neck Point Park and make for an awesome ocean-walk any time of year. There are numerous bald eagles that nest at the point here, great blue herons relaxing in the lagoon along with various other sea birds. A long stretch of pebbly beach to wander along and beautiful hidden coves as you venture further. Drive down to Wheatcroft Park (overlooks the lagoon), then on to Piper's Lagoon.
Poet's Retreat is short 5 minute walk to the bird and wildlife sanctuary, known for the birds that can be spotted here and for the endangered western painted turtles that call it home. An easy and flat 2.5 kilometer loop that is a great start or end to a relaxing day.
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Buttertubs Marsh Park
197 Bird Sanctuary DrPoet's Retreat is short 5 minute walk to the bird and wildlife sanctuary, known for the birds that can be spotted here and for the endangered western painted turtles that call it home. An easy and flat 2.5 kilometer loop that is a great start or end to a relaxing day.
Nanaimo Harbour
If you want to gain a sense of what Nanaimo is all about, this museum is a must-see! Learn more about the First Nations peoples whose lands we live on, the early mining and logging industries, the Chinese culture that contributed to its growth. This is a small museum that is well worth the visit. They often have a little activity set-up for kids to keep them busy and help them learn a bit more as well.
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Nanaimo Museum
100 Museum WayIf you want to gain a sense of what Nanaimo is all about, this museum is a must-see! Learn more about the First Nations peoples whose lands we live on, the early mining and logging industries, the Chinese culture that contributed to its growth. This is a small museum that is well worth the visit. They often have a little activity set-up for kids to keep them busy and help them learn a bit more as well.
Newcastle Island (Saysutshun) is an absolutely fabulous island to check-out for so many reasons! A quick 15 minute passenger-ferry ride from Nanaimo's waterfront bring you to this island that is alive with its First Nations heritage. The beaches that surround this island are each beautiful, the restaurant serves awesome clam chowder and other meals, along with lots of ice cream. This island is always very quiet and restful. A gorgeous spot to pass a day (or just an afternoon).
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Newcastle Island
Newcastle Island (Saysutshun) is an absolutely fabulous island to check-out for so many reasons! A quick 15 minute passenger-ferry ride from Nanaimo's waterfront bring you to this island that is alive with its First Nations heritage. The beaches that surround this island are each beautiful, the restaurant serves awesome clam chowder and other meals, along with lots of ice cream. This island is always very quiet and restful. A gorgeous spot to pass a day (or just an afternoon).
Food scene
Within a 20 minute stroll of Poet's Retreat, the Old City Quarter has some beautiful character buildings that house some great restaurants, coffee shops, specialty shops. A local favourite is Astera's for some excellent Greek food (you'll need a reservation here on weekends), Milton Street Public House, Coaches and Horses English-style pub. And load up on cheeses and specialty food items at McLeans while you're here!
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Old City Quarter
418B Fitzwilliam StWithin a 20 minute stroll of Poet's Retreat, the Old City Quarter has some beautiful character buildings that house some great restaurants, coffee shops, specialty shops. A local favourite is Astera's for some excellent Greek food (you'll need a reservation here on weekends), Milton Street Public House, Coaches and Horses English-style pub. And load up on cheeses and specialty food items at McLeans while you're here!
Located on Commercial Street (and surrounded by other great restaurants and cool gift shops, etc), Gabriel's is one of our all-time favourites. The food is locally sourced, creative and delicious. This place has such a laid-back west-coast vibe. Grab brunch or lunch here! This is less than 5 minutes drive from Poet's Retreat or a leisurely 30 minute stroll.
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Gabriel's Cafe
39 Commercial StreetLocated on Commercial Street (and surrounded by other great restaurants and cool gift shops, etc), Gabriel's is one of our all-time favourites. The food is locally sourced, creative and delicious. This place has such a laid-back west-coast vibe. Grab brunch or lunch here! This is less than 5 minutes drive from Poet's Retreat or a leisurely 30 minute stroll.
This cozy neighbourhood pub is about a 15 minute walk from Poet's Retreat. They have a great outdoor patio, excellent service and really great food. What's not to love?
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Milton Street Public House
247 Milton StThis cozy neighbourhood pub is about a 15 minute walk from Poet's Retreat. They have a great outdoor patio, excellent service and really great food. What's not to love?
The ultimate spot for enjoying fish and chips, oysters, etc in the summer. This is a small floating barge restaurant in Nanaimo harbour. It's only on from late April to October. Grab some food, inhale the salty ocean air and then head for a walk around the harbour. A perfect afternoon or evening.
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Trollers Fish & Chips
The ultimate spot for enjoying fish and chips, oysters, etc in the summer. This is a small floating barge restaurant in Nanaimo harbour. It's only on from late April to October. Grab some food, inhale the salty ocean air and then head for a walk around the harbour. A perfect afternoon or evening.
Golf
A beautiful 18 hole golf course with a great clubhouse. Enjoy brunch after a round or a lovely (and well-deserved!) dinner.
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Nanaimo Golf Club
2800 Highland BlvdA beautiful 18 hole golf course with a great clubhouse. Enjoy brunch after a round or a lovely (and well-deserved!) dinner.
A quiet and relaxed 9-hole golf course within a 15 minute walk (or 3 minute drive) from Poet's Retreat. Great for a quick round!
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Pryde Vista Golf Course
155 Pryde AveA quiet and relaxed 9-hole golf course within a 15 minute walk (or 3 minute drive) from Poet's Retreat. Great for a quick round!
A bit further afield (under an hour's drive away)
Gorgeous water falls that no picture can do justice to! Both the upper and lower falls are well worth a visit. The upper falls are easily accessed with a quick, easy walk from the parking lot. The lower falls will require a bit of a hike but are beautiful and offer a fabulous (albeit VERY cold swimming spot). This is a magical place and one of our favourites.
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Parque Provincial de las Cataratas del Río Englishman
2245 Errington RoadGorgeous water falls that no picture can do justice to! Both the upper and lower falls are well worth a visit. The upper falls are easily accessed with a quick, easy walk from the parking lot. The lower falls will require a bit of a hike but are beautiful and offer a fabulous (albeit VERY cold swimming spot). This is a magical place and one of our favourites.
This a lovely quaint town that is loaded with history. Many buildings in the dowtown feature elaborate murals that each tell a story. There are a few great little restaurants to check-out and shops to wander through.
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Chemainus
This a lovely quaint town that is loaded with history. Many buildings in the dowtown feature elaborate murals that each tell a story. There are a few great little restaurants to check-out and shops to wander through.
Consejos para la ciudad
Viajar con niños
Kids never tire of exploring the beaches
Plan on relaxing on a driftwood log while the kids (of all ages!) enjoy turning over rocks to find star fish, little baby crabs, sea anemones. Or let them look for the beautiful seaglass that can be found along the pebbly beaches - such a treasure to find! Help them build a fort with all the drift wood or discover one that someone else has left there for you. Watch for seals or count bald eagles as you watch the ferries and float planes go by. Enjoy!